Ronaldo sends Real Madrid top of La Liga

Cristiano Ronaldo showed off his Ballon d'Or trophy to the Bernabeu before kick-off

Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema's second-half strikes propelled Real Madrid to the top of La Liga for the first time since May 2012 with a 2-0 win over Granada.

Ronaldo opened the scoring after 57 minutes and then had a hand in Benzema's goal, which wrapped up all three points 19 minutes later.

Madrid temporarily move two points clear of Atletico Madrid and Barcelona at the league's summit, and although they could be third again by Sunday, boss Carlo Ancelotti's aim of "going to sleep top of the league" was realised.

Before kick-off Ronaldo showed off his glinting Ballon d'Or trophy to the Bernabeu faithful, and was joined by his teammates and club legend Alfredo Di Stefano, who won the award in 1957 and 1959.

Gareth Bale, Madrid's £86 million world-record signing, was replaced at half-time by Jese, having not enjoyed the best of afternoons after getting hit in the groin by a tough challenge from Jeison Murillo.